Apparatus for performing chemical and other processes under the action of gas ions



June 6, 1967 B. BERGHAUS 3,324,027

APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING CHEMICAL AND OTHER PROCESSES UNDER THE ACTIONOF GAS IONS Original Filed Oct. 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR.Sam/{4R0 BERG/ HUS June 6, 1967 B. BERGHAUS 3, ,0

PPARATUS FOR PERFORMING CHEMICAL AND OTHER PROCESSES UNDER THE ACTION OFGAS IONS Original Filed Oct. 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR.BEAIW/HRD BERG/M 1/5 '0 TTOR/VEYS June 6, 1967 B BERGHAUS 3,324,027APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING CHEMICAL AND OTHER PROCESSES UNDER THE ACTIONOF GAS IONS Original Filed Oct. 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. ifBERN/men BE'PG'HHUS .M... T v. A 5

14 TTORNE Y5 June 6, 1967 B. BERGHAUS 3,

APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING CHEMICAL AND OTHER PROCESSES UNDER THE ACTIONOF GAS IONS Original Filed Oct. 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

' INVENTOR. BEPNHHRD BEAGHHUS B nrrak/vsrs B. BERGHAUS June 6, 19673,324,02 7 ES UNDER APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING CHEMICAL AND OTHER PROCESSTHE ACTION OF GAS IONS 5 Sheets$he et 5 Original Filed Oct. 2, 1958United States Patent Claims. c1. 204-s12 The present application is adivision of copending application Ser. No. 764,990, filed Oct. 2, 1958,now abandoned.

The present invention relates to metallurgical, chemical and othertechnical processes in which an action of gas ions occurs and which areperformed on an industrial scale. The field of application of the methodaccording to this invention for the performance of such processes isbeyond the so-called electronic or mainly physical range for whichpurposes relatively weak ion currents are employed. Devices havingrelatively weak currents, even if the latter are composed, as inmachines for the acceleration of particles, of ions having a highkinetic energy, require a substantially different type of arrangementthan industrially applicable units for operation with strong ioncurrents.

Methods have existed for a long time in which strong ion currents areoperative, such as in metallurgical arc processes. It has also beenproposedto produce an arc within a fully enclosed pressure chamberprovided with a narrow nozzle-type bore in an electrode, to maintain agas pressure of several hundred atmospheres in the said pressure chamberby supplying gas, and to produce a highly ionized gas jet which emergesfrom the bore. Such a gas jet ionized by a high-pressure arc may possessa very high temperature and it consists of a more or less dense plasmaof gas ions. In accordance with the largely thermal ionization of such agas jet, the latter is composed of positively and negatively chargedparticles in approximately equal number. While such gas plasma jets maybe employed to generate high tempertaures of up to 100,000 C., theydisplay properties undesirable for many purposes since the presence ofpositive and negative charge carriers renders diflicult the control ofthe plasma jet by exterior electric and magnetic fields.

The method according to this invention for the performance of the saidtechnical processes under the action of ions is characterized by thefact that an ionized gas jet is employed in which charge carriers of onepolarity are continuously concentrated.

For electronic and physical purposes there exist vari ous devices,commonly described as ion sources, for the generation of an ion currentcomprising unipolarized gas ions. Such ion sources are, however,designed for relatively weak ion currents only and base on the principlethat ions are first formed in a stationary gas atmosphere, thenaccelerated by means of electric or magnetic agencies and transformedinto a flow of such unipolar charge carriers. Accordingly, that is not agas flow which is ionized and has one type of charge carrierconcentrated.

Other proposals regarding a source of ions have been made in which a gasjet, which enters an evacuated space through a nozzle, is ionized. Theions are deflected from the gas jet by electrical or magnetic means, andemployed for the purpose desired, e.g. passed into an acceleratingchamber, while the gas jet free of ions is exhausted by the pump unit.This, too, has nothing to do with the method according to the presentinvention of concentrating charge carriers of a single polarity in a gasjet.

A number of embodiments are described in greater detail in conjunctionwith the attached drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section ofan embodiment of a nozzle-type device arranged in the cover of areaction vessel for the purpose of performing the method according tothis invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of a further embodiment similar to thatof FIG. 1 having a magnet coil;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are both diagrammatic representations of the magneticcontrol of a gas jet;

FIGS. 5a, 5b are a longitudinal section and a pressure diagramrespectively of a further embodiment of a method according to theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the output N at pressure P in a device accordingto FIG. 5a;

FIGS. 7 through 11 are longitudinal sections of further embodiments ofthe devices according to the invention;

FIGS. 12 through 15 are diagrammatic views of means for the magneticinfluencing of ionized gas jets;

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal section of a further device according to thisinvention, and

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal section of an auxiliary electrode for thedevice according to FIG. 16.

In the present method, the concentration of charge carriers of a singlepolarity in a gas jet may be obtained by various means. It is assumedthat the gas jet emerges from one or several nozzle-type members andthat concentration is effected within the said members.

An embodiment of such a nozzle-type member is shown in longitudinalsection in FIG. 1. The device shown comprises a reaction chamber throughwhich a gas jet is passed which enters through tube connection 110 andemerges through the nozzle-type opening 12. The reaction chamber 10 isfully enclosed by walls; at the top, by the plate 13 having the inletopening 14; laterally, by the sleeve 16, and at the bottom, by thenozzle plate 17 with the nozzle-type opening 12. The insulating plateelectrically insulates the plate 13 relative to the sleeve 16. The plate13 is forced against the insulating plate 15, via the insulating rings18a and 18b, by the nut 20 screwed into the cylindrical double-walledextension of the sleeve 16. The said insulating plate 15 rests on thehorizontal bottom of the extension 19. The nozzle disc 17, too, isforced against the cathode sleeve 16 and the extension 19 by a nut 21.

The sleeve 16 is preferably operated as the cathode, and the plate 13 asthe anode, but the device is not limited to this mode of operation.

Provided opposite the anode plate 13 and opposite the cathode sleeve 16and the tube connection 19 respectively on either side of the insulatingplate 15 is an annular slot 22 and 23 designed to render difiicult thepenetration of the glow discharge along the surface of the insulatingplate.

The exterior tube 11b attached to the anode plate 13 and its outer wallalso form an annular slot 24 together with the inner wall of theinsulating ring 18a, the said slot opening into the flat transverse slot25 provided be tween the insulating rings 18a, 18b and continuing in theannular slot 26 between the outer tube 11b and the insulating ring 18b.This gap system of known design is provided to render diflicult thepenetration of energyrich glow discharges to the annular slot 26.

The device described extends into the interior of a container and isattached, in gas-tight relationship, to a current lead-in 31 arranged ininsulated and gas-tight relationship in its cover and provided with anexterior tube 11b. Via this lead-in and the exterior tube 111; of theanode plate 13, e.g. an anodic potential, and via the space between theexterior tube 111) and the tube connection 11a a coolant is appliedwhile a gas current is supplied through the tube connection 11a. The gasflows CD into the reaction chamber through the inlet opening 14, andinto the interior of the container through the opening 12 in the nozzleplate 17, and forms a gas jet indicated by the dot-dash lines 27.

The cathode sleeve 16 and the extension 17 are in turn connected, viatubes 28a and 28b, to a second current leadin 32 arranged in the cover30 in insulated and gastight relationship and are supplied with cathodicpotential and a coolant for the double-walled extension 19 and thecathode sleeve 16. Preferably, a liquid coolant is supplied and removedthrough the current lead-ins 31 and 32 respectively, but a gaseouscoolant may also be employed.

Connected with the container is a pumping device which can maintain agas pressure according to requirements between 1 and 1000 mm. Hg duringoperation within the said container. The gas supply via the tubeconnection 11a is at all times effected at an overpressure relative tothe interior of the container. The pressure set up in the reactionchamber 10 may accordingly be higher than 1000 mm. Hg and amount to asmuch as gauge atmospheres and over.

If pure H gas is supplied through the tube connection 11a and a directvoltage between approx. 200 and 2000 volts applied to the cathode sleeve16 depending on the gas pressure, an intensive glow discharge occurs inthe reaction chamber 10. The gas flowing through the reaction chamber isaccordingly strongly ionized and dissociated into its atomicconstituents or transformed into a highly active excited condition. Sucha glow discharge between the cathode sleeve 16 and the nozzle plate 13forming the cathode concentrates the positive gas ions in the gascurrent within the reaction chamber 10 so that the said gas jet 27consists mainly of positive gas ions when it leaves nozzle 12.

The device disclosed is suitable particularly for operation at gaspressures in the reaction chamber 10 in excess of 50 mm. Hg to severalgauge atmospheres. This is due to the fact that the gas current isdirected to the cathode from the anode, which facilitates the generationof a gas or glow discharge at high gas velocities and rising gaspressure.

In order to facilitate starting, a secondary anode, possibly in theshape of a metal ring, can be arranged outside the device described at agreater or lesser distance from the nozzle opening 12. For starting,only this anode may be connected to the voltage source while the currentlead-in 31 is disconnected from the voltage source.

The arrangement described is so designed that the parts possibly subjectto wear and tear, i.e., the anode plate 13, nozzle plate 17 and also theinsulating plate 15 can be replaced with ease. This also enables thepressure in the reaction chamber 10 to be altered relative to thepressure in the container and in the tube connection 11a respectively bysuitable selection of the inside diameter of the openings 14 and 12, andthe velocity of the gas, i.e., the duration of its passage through thereaction chamber 10, to be influenced.

The device is only an embodiment. The present method may be performed inany device which is provided with a downstream wall in the gas current,which operates as a cathode preferably and at least at certain times,while an electrode, which operates as an anode preferably at lease atcertain times, is provided upstream. The gas inlet opening need notnecessarily lead through the anodic electrode; the gas may be introducedlaterally and tangentially or obliquely arranged gas outlet at the lowerboundary of the reaction chamber is possible as well. The lateralenclosure of the reaction chamber may be formed by a sleeve 16 made ofan insulating material. If desired, the sleeve-type body 16, 19 may beformed of an insulating material and have the metallic plates 13 and 17inserted therein.

In the embodiment of the device according to FIG. 1, a nozzle plate 17of 2 mm. thickness formed of molybdenum and an opening 12 of about 1 sq.mm. cross-sectional area was employed. The reaction chamber has adiameter of 8 mm. and a length to the anode plate 13 of 10 mm. The inletopening 14 has a clear width of 10 sq. mm. With an argon gas current ofabout 50 cu. cm./ second through the device and a direct voltage of 480volts between the anode and the cathode, a gas or glow discharge of 1.5kw. sustained output was maintained. In the emerging gas jet, a highconcentration of positive gas ions of at least 60 percent of all gasions was found to exist. On incresing the power supplied, a percentageof and percent respectively was obtained.

The dimensions of the device disclosed can, however, be entirelydifferent depending on the volume of gas desired to be processed perunit time. In particular, the reaction chamber 10 may be much largerthan indicated, and the distance between the anode plate 13 and thenozzle plate 17 may be as much as mm. and more.

Preferably the gas or glow discharge acting on the gas current issupplied by a direct voltage source. A supply by means of wave orimpulse voltages may be employed as well.

If ions or charge carriers of negative polarity are desired to beconcentrated in the gas jet, the nozzle plate 17 is advantageouslyoperated as the anode and the plate 13 facing it in the reaction chamber10, as the cathode. Investigations have shown that a glow discharge canbe maintained in this type of operation within a certain pressure rangein the reaction chamber 10, which discharge will produce a certainnumber of negative charge carriers. However, so far this has beenachieved only at relatively low jet speed.

The concentration of charge carriers having largely but one polaritywithin the gas jet in the reaction chamber 10 seems to be possible onlyif the electric field strength within the said chamber does not dropbelow a certain minimum level. If an electric arc discharge isgenerated, by way of example, between the anode plate 13 and the cathodeplate 17, of which the operating voltage is of a magnitude between 15and 30 volts, thermal ionization in the gas jet will be prevalent andthe gas jet emerging from the opening 12 contains a practically equalnumber of positive and negative charge carriers. Since the electricfield strength in the reaction chamber does not en- 'able the chargecarriers to be separated owing to the low potential, one type of chargecarriers cannot be concentrated. In order to enable a certain type ofcharge carriers to be concentrated, the electric field strength in thegas jet would seem to have to be sufficient for the charge carriervelocity V obtained thereby to be larger than the velocity of the gas Vand the mean thermal rate V This condition .is satisfactorily met by anelectric glow dischr-age, but other types of discharges, such as brush,spray or corona discharges, may be employed which have an operatingpotential substantially larger than an arc discharge.

When performing chemical processes with the present method, it may alsobe advantageous for the nozzle plate 17 and/or the cathode sleeve 16and/or the anode plate 13 with the nozzle-type member according to FIG.1 to be formed of a material which can exercise a catalytic effect infinely dispersed atomized particles or as a vapour in the gas jet.Furthermore, for such chemical purposes, the substances participating inthe chemical reaction may be supplied, through the tube connection 110,as gases or as finely dispersed vaporous and/or liquid and/or solidparticles in a gaseous reagent or in a carrier gas not participating inthe reaction.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the device similar to thatdisclosed in FIG. 1, in which parts corresponding to those of FIG. 1have the same reference numerals. The side walls of the reaction chamber10, however, are here formed of a tube end 35a of non-magnetic metal oran insulating material supported by iron plates 36a and 36b which extendradially inward from the outer cylindrical iron container 36c. Arrangedin the space between the iron plates 36a and 36b is a coil 37. The ironcontainer 360 is provided with two walls and the hollow spaces 38 and 39are designed for the passage of a coolant supplied by line 40a anddrained through line 40b. The nozzle plate 17 here consists of anon-magnetic metal of an insulating material, such as molybdenum orboric nitride.

When energized by means of a direct current, the coil 37 operates as aniron-shielded magnetic lens and therefore exercises, in the knownmanner, a deflecting elfect on the ionized gas flowing from the opening14 to the nozzle mouth 12.

When this device is operated by means of a discharge formed between theplate 13 operating as the anode and the nozzle plate 17 operating as thecathode, energization of the coil 37 may be such that any negativecharge carriers present in the gas current are deflected laterally andprevented from passing through the nozzle opening, which causes thepositive charge carriers in the gas jet emerging from the nozzle 12 indirection of the arrow to be concentrated. When the energization of thecoil 37 is properly selected, the magnetic field, which is axiallysymmetrical with the nozzle axis, can additionally constrict and focusthe gas jet with unipolar ions within the reaction chamber and within orwithout the nozzle 12 respectively. This concentration and/ or focusingon a space position coaxial with the nozzle axis, which is possible onlywith a gas jet having ions of a single polarity, enables the chargecarrier concentration to be greatly increased in this space portion, aneflect .which is otherwise obtainable only with very high energies in aplasma. At the same time the gas jet is removed from the walls 35a,which is an advantage with high energies and correspondingly hightemperatures within the reaction chamber.

The case of focusing the gas jet containing ions of one polarity outsidethe nozzle 12 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3, only the anode plate13 with the opening 14. the cathode plate 17 with the opening 12, andthe coil 37 with the iron casing 36a, 36b and 36c being shown. The gasjet applied through the opening 14 in the direction of arrow 41 isionized in one polarity and focused by the magnetic lens 36, 37 in thespace portion 42 outside the nozzle opening 42. By screening thenegative voltage carriers within chamber 10, the positive chargecarriers are concentrated in the gas jet emerging from nozzle 12.Focusing and concentration of the charge carriers of the same,preferably of positive, polarity in the space portion 42 therecorresponds to a subtantial increase of energy. If the same energy wereto be produced within the chamber 10, a gas or glow discharge severaltimes larger would be required to take place. Focusing of the chargecarriers outside the nozzle 12 thus constitutes a relief of the saidnozzle and the recation space 10.

A concentration of the charge carriers in the space can be obtained aswell when the magnetic field, of which at least portions are parallelwith the central axis, in FIG. 3 is replaced by a magnetic field normalto the said axis. This is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 4 which showsonly the anode plate 13 with the bore 14 and the nozzle plate 17 withthe opening 12 similarly to FIG. 3. In addition, a magnetic yoke 44formed of iron with the pole shoes 45 and 46 and the energizing coil 47is provided. Between the pole shoes 45 and 46 a strong magnetic fieldcan be obtained in a direction normal to the gas jet between the inletopening 14 and the nozzle 12 if the coil 47 is sufliciently energized bydirect current. The charge carriers generated in the gas jet by the gasdischarge between plate 13 and the nozzle plate 17 will then describe aspiral movement concentric with the central axis under the action of themagnetic field; the diameter of the spiral travelled can be made sosmall that a concentration of the charge carriers occurs in a spaceportion of the chamber 10 coaxial with the central axis. This will alsoenable the ionized gas jet to be removed from the walls of chamber 10,so that the latter is relieved despite the concomitant increase ofenergy in the compressed gas-ion jet.

Finally it is also possible to overlay strong energy impulses on theelectrical stationary gas or glow discharge, which pass between theelectrodes 13 and 17 as sparks or other impulse-like discharges. Suchintense axial discharges cause the ionized gas jet to be magneticallyconstricted.

The electro-magnets shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 may also be replaced bypermanent magnets.

A further embodiment for the performance of the present method ofconcentrating charge carriers having one polarity in a gas jet within amember of nozzle-type configuration is made possible by the so-calledhollowcathode effect which is disclosed in detail, by way of example, inthe Swiss patent specification No. 314,340 (Berghaus).

FIG. 5a illustrates a suitable device in which the gas current to beionized is passed through a tubular nozzle 52 in the direction of arrow50. The said nozzle opens into a closed receptacle 53. The tube 52carries a cooling jacket 54 with inlet 55 and 56 for a suitable coolant,such as water, and consists of metal. The tube 52 designed as a nozzleduct is not electrically connected with the metal walls 57 of thecontainer 53 owing to the presence of the cover 58 formed of insulatingmaterial. Arranged within the receptacle 53 is a counterelectrode 59which may be insulated in respect of the metal walls 57 or electricallyconnected therewith. If desired, the counterelectrode may be dispensedwith and the metal walls 57 used as the counterelectrode. The receptacle53 is connected to a suitable pumping device (not shown), which enablesa predetermined gas pressure P to be maintained during operation. Thegas entering tube 52 in the dircetion of arrow 50 emerges into thereceptacle 53 as a gas jet. FIG. 5b diagrammatically shows the pressuredistribution in the gas jet along the central axis of tube 52 andreceptacle 53 respectively during operation. Gas pressure whichpossesses the value P approximately in the plane of the counterelectrode59, becomes higher when approaching the tube mouth and reaches the valueP at the tube month. As is known, a pressure drop occurs in the gascurrent within the tube 52 so that the pressure increases whenproceeding against the direction of flow as per line 62, and possessesthe value P at the tube inlet. Selection of initial pressure P andterminal pressure P enables the pressure gradient P P within tube 52 tobe adjusted Within certain limits determined by the known laws governing flowing gaseous media; it is irrelevant whether the pressure gradientwithin the tube is linear or otherwise.

If a direct voltage source with a potential adjustable between 200 and1000 volts has its negative pole connected to the tube connection 60 andits positive pole to the counterelectrode connection 61, a gas or glowdischarge can be obtained in the discharge gap formed by the tube mouthand the counterelectrode 59. By way of example P =5 mm. Hg and P=approx. 20 mm. Hg while the voltage at the connection 60 and 61 is setat 600 volts. Under these pressure and voltage conditions the tube mouthoperating as the cathode is covered by a glow. This glow also lines theinner walls of the tube 52 from the mouth to a depth determined by theinside diameter and the pressure conditions, and ends where owing to thelong travel the amount of voltage carriers in the gas becomes too smallfor the transmission of current to the counterelectrode 59. However,with the pressures indicated and a diameter of D=5 mm. of tube 52 apenetration depth will amount to from 50 to mm.

It the tube diameter D possesses a value at which the flow of thedischarge at opposite inner tube walls over: laps or becomes continguousat a given pressure range P to P an intense hollow discharge will occurin this portion of the tube 52. It must naturally be ensured that thetransmission of current from this tube section H to the counterelectrode59 'is'not'too strongly inhibited'With the above examples'ofzpressureand voltage conditions-and a tube' SZ having a diameter of.D='.7 mm. sucha hollow discharge may be obtained within a pressurerange from so sharply defined. Aceordingly, the length of the zone. lvl

clearly defined, while its beginningzcanbe determined.

The receptacle 53 of the embodiment according-to FIG.= 'S cIz is' notessential and may be dispensed with if-the counterelectrodei 65' isarranged in insulated relationship in the metallic nozzle64'serving'asacathode,asdiagramrnath eally shown in FIG; 7.The'counterelectrode 65 is preferablyarranged outside the zone H ofhigher discharge en:-

ergy. In principle, the an'ode'mayalso be locatedin a Isectionhavinghigher-pressureLin the tube 64, astbe elec- Y of higher energytransformation in thetu-be 52- of thew-levice according to FIG. 1'cannot be trade 66' insulatediy built into'the'tubewall. 'How'ev'erfltmust always be ensuredjthat the gas'jet' in: the. discharge gap can beionized and that a glow edge with cathodefall I space can' occurfinthetubesectioni-I.

It a is desired to con entrafe t e hollow. discharge is j g l the tubeon 'a' shorter length, ajnozzle of the. type illus- 'trated 'in' FIG; .3may be employed. The tube 67' is .iiared to form acone as indicated, ora horn, s0 that=thediarnf Furthermore. it is also possible, as shown inFIG. '9

- to: produce. the hollowdischarge' within. apredetermined section of. acylindrical inozzie by providing a tube 63 1 operating as acathode andarranging concentrically withf in the said section an inner electrode70, which carries the same potentialfWhen pressure conditions aresuitable, a hollow discharge can occur only in the annular space alongthe inner electrode 70 if the atnode 71 is sufiiciently near thissection H of the nozzle 69. If desired, the inner electrode 70 may alsobe of a hollow design, as for the passage of a coolant, or for theintroduction of a gas jet emerging from radial bores in the innerelectrode 70 into the energy-rich glow discharge in the tube section H.

The gas to be ionized may also be introduced via a nozzle-type inlet 72into a reaction chamber formed by the tube 73 as shown in FIG. 10. Theanode 74 is arranged in insulated relationship within the said chamber.A further gas current can be introduced into the hollow dischargeobtained in the tube section H through a separate nozzle 75.

As finally indicated in FIG. 11, the cathode and the anode may each beformed of a metal tube 76 and 77 respectively, which are connected by aninsulating tube section 78. The gas is supplied to this nozzlearrangement via a bore 79, i.e. introduced into the cathode 76. Whenpressure and diameter conditions are suitable, an energetic hollowdischarge will be obtained in the tube section H. In certain cases, thetube section 77 may be operated as the cathode, and the tube section 76as the anode, i.e. the hollow discharge may be obtained in the tube 77.

The hollow discharge cannot occur in the sections of the nozzle ductdeseginated as H in FIGS. 5a and 7 through 11 unless the product of thediameter D (in mm.) and the gas pressure P (in mm. Hg) reaches a certainvalue; for H gas approx. within the range D.P:2() 100 mm. Hg, since theglow edges are contiguous or overlap only at such values of D.P. Withother types of gas, the range of D.P is shifted; by way of example, thevalues must be multiplied by /2 for N and by /3 for 0 It is notabsolutely necessary that such overlapping obtains per charge carriersthan negativeones. I I FIGS. Sat'hrougn 11- may; be formed, at leastincertain: sections, of a nonrnagnetic metal or .an insulating materialand'be' subject 'to the ,ac-;

. .manently as. is the case, by way of example, when the I connections10 and 11 in EIG.-5lz.are.supplied by a direct voltage.sour ce.;An'alternating. or impulse voltage peri odically changing its polarity maybe suppied. Further inore, an intermittent direct. voltage may besupplied so' that hollow dischargesoecur. intermittently in the relativezone. Also the over-laying. of energy; impulses of a shorter 1 zor'lon'ger duration on'the normal supply voltage may-be ad.vantageous.In the embodiments disclosedin conjunction with FIGS. 5;: through ll,mainly the positive gas ions appear to be. "concentrated in the gas jetduring its passage through the;

nozzle zone H having an increased dischargeenergy, sinceions'of thispolarity preponderate in the hollow discharge.

=Accordingiy the gas jet emerging from nozzle arrange- I rnents of thisdesign possesses. a. great deal more positive I The nozzle ductaccording to doubt an a'Xialand/or' transverse magnetic field, similarto that, described in detail in; conjunction with FIGS. 2 I through 4;The section subject to the nia'gnetic'action may Y E compriseall orpartsof the sectionH having an increased discharge energy, but ittn'ayalsd'beilocated'downstream of the -section H. V I

l The embodimentsdescribed above of. devices} for the Iperformance'ofthe.presentmethod are designed to con j centrate. chargecarriers of only one'polarity in a gas jet- I '30 "eter and pressureconditions fora hollow discharge ob- A i I rainonlyinasubstantially'shorter'portion H. Here, too,

the-flared tube 67 preferably operates asthecathode, the anode 68 ofstreamlined design i providecLby way I of; example, inthe lower.pressure area.

during its passage through a 11oz zle- -type member. Below,

embodiments are: described in which the gasjet. is en'-f I riched with adesired type of charge carriers as it-ernerges from a nozzle orsubsequently thereto.

preferably operated as the cathode and a counterelectrode arranged infront thereof, or the metallic walls of the receptacle are employed asthe anode. As already stated in the said patent, a nozzle insulated fromthe voltage sources or itself formed of an insulating material may beemployed as well, and the gas jet 1 conducted through a discharge gapformed between separate electrods. Where pressure conditions aresuitable, the metallic nozzle may be operated as the anode, and aseparate cathode located in the gas jet.

Experience has shown that positive gas ions are preferably produced inthe ionization of the gas jet freely emerging from the nozzle by a gasor glow discharge so that the positive ions are concentrated in the saidgas jet. Tests have disclosed that 60 to percent of all charge carriersare positive.

It may be pointed out that the zone of increased pressure formed iscreated in front of the nozzle mouth. Accordingly, where the metalicnozzle operates as the cathode, the ionizing discharge zone may extendas far as the nozzle mouth and, under certain pressure conditions, intothe nozzle duct. A discharge occurs in which a hollow discharge isobtained within the nozzle duct according to the type described inconjunction with FIGS. 5 through 11, and, on the other hand, a gas orglow discharge in the zone of a pressure greater than around itextending outside the nozzle. This interaction of the two types ofdischarge produces a particularly intense concentration of mainlypositive charge carriers in the gas jet.

In the concentration of charge carriers of a single polarity in a gasjet by the means disclosed in the said patent, it has provedadvantageous not to leave the ionized gas jet to itself but to guide it.In particular it may be pressure enters a 5 forms a defined s brdesirable with strong exothermal reactions in the gas jet that theionized gas jet remains within a space portion located in axiallysymmetrical relationship to the jet axis. This is possible :by exertinga magnetic influence on the ionized gas jet.

An embodiment for the magnetic focusing of a gas jet with aconcentration of ions of a single polarity is shown diagrammatically inFIG. 12, in which the nozzle is indicated at 83 and the gas jet emergingfrom it at 81. The means disclosed in the said patent ionize the gas jetfrom the plane 82 normal to the jet axis, which is indicated byhatching. Arranged coaxially along the jet axis is the lens 83 shown inlongitudinal section, which consists of a U-shaped iron ring 84 and acoil 85 provided therein. If the coil 85 is energized via theconnections 86 and 87 with direct current, a magnetic field is set up inthe central plane of the lens 83 normal to the jet axis, which isparallel with the jet axis and extends normally through this centralplane. Under the action of this magnetic field, the gas ions movingobliquely relative to the jet axis are deflected towards the said axisso that the portion of the gas jet with the ions of a single polarityconcentrates in a focus 88 on the jet axis. Naturally the magnetic lens83 cannot act upon non-ionized gas particles, which continue theirdivergent travel indicated by line 89 without being influenced. Thesharp focusing of the ionized gas jet diagrammatically shown in FIG. 12can be obtained only if charge carriers of the same charge and the samemass are present. If their mass is different, several focusing pointsalong the jet axis will be obtained for charge carriers having the samepolarity but a different ratio between charge and mass.

Instead of focusing by magnetic lens systems, magnetic bunching may beobtained, as shown in FIG. 13, by a transverse field of the magnet 90,in which the magnetic field is located between the poles 91, 92 normalto the jet axis and parallel with the drawing plane in FIG. 13. In sucha magnetic field the charge carriers in the gas jet 81 describe spiralpaths of which the diameter can be kept so small by a suificientlystrong magnetic field that the gas jet or the ionized portion thereofforms approximately a cylinder which is coaxial with the jet axis. Whenperforming heavily exothermal transformation reactions with such a gasjet having ions of a single polarity, the proper dosage of the gasvolume employed for the reaction is essential so that the process can bekept under control. The present method enables the dosage to be effectedin a simple manner in that the diameter of the bore in the nozzle head80 is dimensioned accordingly.

By way of example, a bore of 1 sq. mm. opening will produce a gas jet ofroughly 1 cu. cm. per second at a pressure of the gas jet supplied ofabout 1 gauge atmosphere and an inner pressure in the receptacle ofabout mm. Hg. However, it is also possible to ionize the gas jetemerging from the nozzle to a greater or lesser degree, and to influencethe ionized portion magnetically so that a separation of the ionized gasjet from the nonionized jet is obtained. By way of example, thereactioil desired can be performed with the ionized gas jet alone sothat a very accurate dosage of the gas volume supplied to the reactionspace can be effected by a corresponding setting of the degree ofionization.

In the performance of the reactions under the method according to themain patent, ionized reaction products often occur which may differ inrespect of the polarity of their charges as well as in respect of theratio between charge and mass. Magnetic action exerted on the gas jetcarrying the reaction products in such cases enables the separation ofionized reaction products from the gas jet. Such ionized components may.be deflected relative to the gas jet axis, or they may be more stronglybunched or focused. The concentration of such ionized reaction productsat predetermined locations in the interior of the receptacle thenfacilitates their separate removal.

As stated above, the zone in which the gas stream is intensely ionizedmay extend into the nozzle bore when pressure is increased and if thesaid bore is of sufficient width. It may be advantageous in such cases,as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, to form the nozzle 95 of a nonmagneticmaterial and to arrange it within the range of a magnetic longitudinalfield of the magnetic lens 96 and, respectively, of a magnetictransverse field of the magnets 97, 98. On the one hand, the energytransformation in the gas jet has thereby been increased, and, on theother hand, the bunching of the said jet could be improved. Furthermore,reaction products of different ionization can be separated directionallyalready in the gas jet emerging from the nozzle 95.

The magnetic fields parallel with or transverse to the axis of the gasjet may be obtained by sufficiently powerful permanent magnets or byelectromagnets properly energized. The electromagnets are preferablysupplied with direct voltage of a constant or pulsatingly variableintensity.

Magnetic influencing of the ionized gas jet may also be effected byspark discharges of a high current intensity. In particular, a sparkdischarge along the axis of the gas jet will product a constriction ofthe ionized gas jet in the radial direction owing to the magnetic fieldinterlinked with the flow of current.

The very high density of ions in certain space portions obtained bymagnetic concentration of the gas jet having ions of one polarity causesthe conductivity in the said space portions to be correspondinglyincreased. By way of example, this applies to the immediate vicinity ofthe focusing point 88 in FIG. 12 and of the gas jet within thetransverse magnetic field in FIG. 13. Since the zone with the elevatedpressure within the gas jet 81 forms part of the discharge gap for thegas and glow discharge from the nozzle to this space portion if thenozzle 80 is at least partly metallic and operates as an electrode, thisdischarge displays the tendency to shift in the direction towards thisportion of increased conductivity. This effect, which appears to becaused by the reduction in the resistance of the discharge gap in therange of higher ion concentration, causes the nozzle mouth to berelieved in respect of enregy in favor of an increase of the energytransformation in the zone of elevated pressure in the gas jet and inthe space portion having a higher concentration of ions.

The nozzle may be further relieved by intensive cooling since thisappears to increase the resistance of the discharge gap in its imemdiatevicinity. This raises the tendency of the gas or glow discharge toshift, in respect of energy, to the above-mentioned portions having alower discharge gap resistance.

Both measures cause the energy to be increased, ie the ion supply to themagnetic focusing space portion to be increased, so that the ion densityis further increased. In particular, it is advantageous that practicallyall ions present in this space portion have a single polarity,preferably a positive polarity. In this manner, very high ion densitiescorresponding to an electric current intensity of from 10 to 10 A. maybe obtained. The discharge occurring in the gas jet having ions of asingle polarity and in the space portion having a higher ion densityremains stable.

Naturally the powerful discharge described which has a high density ofions in the gas jet with ions of a single polarity can be obtained onlyvia a so-called starting process. By way of example, a weak gas or glowdischarge is created in the vicinity of the nozzle mouth, and acorrespondingly low gas pressure applied. After obtaining a zone ofelevated pressure by introducing a gas jet which is initially weak, anincrease in the voltage, in the presure in the vicinity of the gas jetand in the pressure of the nozzle enables an ever more energeticdischarge to be obtained and the concentration of ions having a singlepolarity in the gas jet be increased. The power for the magnetic fieldmust be sufiicient to cause a concentration of the gas ions in the spaceportion selected. Upon further increasing the electrical energy suppliedand of the gas pressure within and/ or outside the nozzle, the energy inthe magnetically focused space portion may be raised. It is advantageousto operate the nozzle without cooling at the outset of the startingprocess, and to apply more or less cooling to the nozzle after reachinga higher degree of energy transformation.

The disclosed method of obtaining a very high density of charge carrierswithin a gas jet is also suitable for application to nucleartransformation, by way of example in the device according to FIGS. 16and 17.

The arrangement shown in the basic diagram according to FIG. 16 herecomprises a container 100 of spherical configuration which is connected,via an outlet channel 101, with a suitable heat exchanger (not shown)and a pump unit (not shown). Opposite the mouth of the outlet channel101 a jet nozzle 102 is attached to the wall of the container 100, thesaid nozzle consisting of an electrically insulating jacket 103, themetallic supply tube 104 and the nozzle head 105 proper. If desired, thewall of the nozzle head 105 and of the supply tube 104 may be hollow anddesigned to circulate a coolant.

Projecting into the container 100 normally to the central axis of thenozzle 102 and radially towards the centre of the spherical container100 are the two electrode leadins 106 and 107. The electrode points 108and 109 are' spaced by a predetermined, possibly adjustable, distance.The insulating sleeves 110 and 111 seal the lead-ins 106 and 107relative to the container wall. The electrode leadin 107 is groundedoutside the container 100, while the electrode lead-in 106 may beconnected to the condenser 113 via switching member 112, the saidcondenser 113 being charged by the direct voltage source 115 via thepreresistor 114.

If a gas stream is blown into the container 100 through nozzle 102 undersuch overpressure relative to the pressure in the interior of thecontainer, that a gas jet forms behind the nozzle head 105, a zone ofpressure higher than the pressure in the interior of the container isformed as indicated by the broken lines 116. The gas jet which isaxially symmetrical with the nozzle axis if the nozzle mouth iscircular, forms a well-defined gas column which extends over a certainlength from the nozzle mouth along the axis, the axial core area formingan elongated zone of higher pressure.

A nozzle arrangement so operated will therefore provide a gas jet whichis free of closely adjacent walls. The distance between the said gas jet116 and the wall of the container 110 is optional and should amount to amultiple of the diameter of the gas jet. If a highly exothermictransformation reaction is initiated or performed within the zoneforming the gas jet and having a higher pressure relative to thepressure in the interior of the container and high temperatures arisingin the said reaction, there will be no danger of overheating thecontainer walls. On the one hand, the heat conduction from the gas jetin the direction normal to the jet axis is relatively slight,particularly if a pressure within atmospheric pressure, as below 100 mm.Hg, is maintained in the interior of the container. On the other hand,the radiation losses in the arrangement according to FIG. 16 aresubstantially reduced by the spherical design of the container 100 sincethe heat radiation impinging on the inner wall of the container 100 isat least partly reflected back into the interior. This reflexion effectis particularly noticeable when the exothermic transformation reactionis initiated in the portion of the gas jet 116 adjacent the centre ofthe spherical container 100 since the reflected radiation is focused onthis reaction zone.

An arrangement according to FIG. 16 may, by way of example, be employedfor the thermonuclear transformation of hydrogen or deuterium, or of amixture of these two gases, into helium. For this purpose, the zone ofthe gas jet located in the centre of the spherical container iselectrically stimulated, by way of example, using a high-intensity sparkdischarge produced between the electrode points 103 and 109, bydischarging the condenser 113 charged to e.g. 50,000 volts by closingthe switching member 112 via the lead-in 106, the spark gap between theelectrode points 108, 109 and the lead-in 107. If the condenser and thespark gap are designed so as to be of suthciently low inductance, highcurrent densities of up to 10 and 10 amp. can be obtained which resultin an extremely high degree of ionization of the zone of the gas jet 116for the initiation of thermonuclear reactions. While the problems ofproducing suificiently heat-resistant walls and the reduction of energylosses by heat conduction have so far appeared insoluble with the knownattempts at performing thermonuclear reactions in a gas column by meansof electric spark discharges, these problems have been substantiallysimplified by the present method because the walls can be sufficientlyspaced from the gas jet and the energy losses greatly reduced. If thewalls of the spherical container 100 are additionally cooled, as by acoolant stream, which is supplied to and drained from the space 117between the wall of the container 100 and an outer cooling jacket 118via the connections 119 and 120 respectively, very high energies can betransformed in the jet zone at the centre of the interior withoutsubjecting the container walls to excessive heating.

The present method of performing exothermic trans. formation reactionsin a portion of the gas jet is of particular advantage also because theremoval and utilization of the energy thereby released is possiblewithout undue difficulties. As shown by the arrangement accord ing toFIG. 16, it is possible to provide an outlet channel 101 of largecross-section of which the walls are cooled as well. Furthermore, a coldadditional gas may be blown into this outlet channel through one orseveral suitable supply members 121, the hot gas stream of the gas jet116 mixing with the former to form a gas stream of lower temperaturewhich may then be supplied to a heat exchanger, a steam generator orsome other type of thermal consuming unit. The cold gas may also bereplaced by a liquid or a finely dispersed material which is thendirectly evaporated by the hot gas stream. It is evident that manypossibilities of controlling and utilizing the hot gas stream areavailable.

Instead of stimulating the gas jet 116 by means of a spark discharge setup transversely to the jet axis, a spark discharge directedsubstantially parallel with the jet axis may be employed by arrangingcoaxially with the jet axis on either side of the centre of thecontainer an annular electrode according to FIG. 17 between which thespark discharge is set up. The annular electrodes may be formed of ametal tube 126 bent to form a ring which is held by one or severalsupply tubes 127 so that the interior of the tube 128 may be utilizedfor cooling, e.g by means of a liquid stream. If desired, the sparkdischarge may also be obtained between an annular electrode so disposedand the metallic nozzle head 105.

It is again possible to effect electric stimulation of the gas jet forthe initiation and/ or maintenance of a transformation reaction by meansof other discharges of surficient energy density, by Way of example bymeans of high-intensity gas or glow discharges obtained between twoannular electrodes 125 according to FIG. 17 arranged coaxially to thejet axis, or such an annular electrode 125 and the metallic nozzle head105. Such gas or glow discharges may have additional energy impulses orspark discharges superposed both in parallel and in transverserelationship to the gas jet axis.

In highly exothermic transformation reactions in a gas jet, the gas mustremain, as far as possible, within a predetermined spatial area; anarrangement according to FIG. 16 has a conical chamber axiallysymmetrical with the jet axis and indicated by the boundary lines 122.In order to obtain this condition, it is advantageous magnetically toinfluence the gas stream, which is highly ionized by electricstimulation as described above in con junction with FIGS. 12 and 13.

In the performance of highly exothermic transformation reactions, theproper dosage of the gas volume designed for the reaction is of thegreatest importance for the process to be kept under control. Thepresent method enables such dosage to be readily effected bydimensioning the diameter of the bore in the nozzle head 105accordingly. By way of example, a bore of about 1 sq. mm. insideopening, with a pressure of the gas stream supplied of approx. 1 gaugeatmosphere and a pressure in the interior of the container of about mm.Hg, will produce a gas stream of roughly 1 cu. cm. per second. However,it is also possible to obtain a higher or lesser degree of ionization inthe gas jet issuing from the nozzle and to influence the ionized portionmagnetically, to separate it from the non-ionized gas stream asdescribed above and to perform the transformation reaction only with thegas ions; this enables the reacting gas volume to be additionally dosedand, in particular, very small gas volumes to be cut out.

In the arrangement according to FIG. 16 only one nozzle 102 is providedto supply a single gas jet 116. However, it is also possible to provideseveral such nozzles of which the gas jets converge on a predeterminedarea of the interior, preferably on the centre of the sphericalcontainer 100. The gas jets may consist of one and the same gas or gasmixture or supply different gases to the interior of the container. Theinterior of the container may further be filled with a protective gassupplied through separate supply members, and kept at a predeterminedgas pressure. While it is advantageous, in view of the reduction of theheat conduction losses, to select a pressure in the interior of thecontainer smaller than atmospheric pressure, higher interior pressuresmay be employed if the gas jet itself has a sufficient overpressurerelative to the interior.

The performance of the present method is naturally not limited to thearrangement shown in FIG. 16. The spherical container may be replaced-by a cylindrical drum of which the central axis coincides with the jetaxis, which is provided, at one of its ends, with one or several nozzlesfor the supply of a gas jet, and of which the other end passes over intothe outlet channel.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for performing metallurgical and chemical processesunder the action of gas ions comprising two reaction chambers separatedby a nozzle-type member having an aperture therein; means to introducegas under pressure into said first chamber at a point removed from saidnozzle-type member whereby a stream of gas is formed which flows throughsaid first chamber and said nozzle-type member into said second chamber;first and second electrically conductive members located upstream fromsaid nozzle-type member and each having a surface exposed in said firstchamber, said electrically conductive members being spaced apart andinsulated from each other and connected to oppose poles of a source ofpotential to produce a glow discharge therebetween whereby said gaspassing into said second chamber is ionized and concentrated with ionsof a single polarity before issuing into said second chamber, said firstelectrically conductive member being a plate which forms one end of saidfirst reaction chamber, said second electrically conductive member is asleeve forming the lateral walls of said first chamber and said gas isintroduced into said first chamber through an opening in said firstelectrically conductive member.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nozzle-type member islocated at the end of said chamber opposite to said first electricallyconductive member.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sleeve is connectedto the negative pole of said source of potential whereby said gaspassing into said second chamber is concentrated with respect topositive ions.

'4. An apparatus for performing metallurgical and chemical processesunder the action of gas ions comprising two reaction chambers separatedby a nozzle plate having an aperture therein, said first reactionchamber being cylindrical in shape and having one end formed by saidnozzle plate, the opposite end formed by an electrically conductiveplate having an opening therein and the lateral walls formed by anelectrically conductive sleeve which is spaced apart and insulated fromsaid electrically conductive plate; means to introduce gas underpressure through said opening in said electrically conductive platewhereby a stream of gas is formed which flows through said first chamberand said aperture of said nozzle plate into said second chamber and asource of potential, the opposite poles of which are connected to saidelectrically conductive sleeve and said electrically conductive plate toproduce a glow discharge therebetween whereby said gas passing into saidsecond chamber is ionized and concentrated with ions of a singlepolarity before issuing into said second chamber.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including magnetic means tocontrol the path of said ionized gas.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 933,094 9/1909 Moscicki 2043 112,583,898 1/1952 Smith 204-312 2,940,011 6/1960 Kolb 204156 3,005,76210/1961 'Fenn 2043 12 JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner.

H. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING METALLURIGAL AND CHEMICAL PROCESSES UNDERTHE ACTION OF GAS IONS COMPRISING TWO REACTION CHAMBERS SEPARATED BY ANOZZLE-TYPE MEMBER HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN; MEANS TO INTRODUCE GASUNDER PRESSURE INTO SAID FIRST CHAMBER AT A POINT REMOVED FROM SAIDNOZZLE-TYPE MEMBER WHEREBY A STREAM OF GAS IF FORMED WHICH FLOWS THROUGHSAID FIRST CHAMBER AND SAID NOZZLE-TYPE MEMBER INTO SAID SECOND CHAMBER;FIRST AND SECOND ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MEMBERS LOCATED UPSTREAM FROMSID NOZZLE-TYPE MEMBER AND EACH HAVING A SURFACE EXPOSED IN SAID FIRSTCHAMBER, SAID ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MEMBERS BEING SPACED APART ANDINSULATED FROM EACH OTHER AND CONNECTED TO OPPOSE POLES OF A SOURCE OFPOTENTIAL TO PRODUCE A GLOW DISCHARGE THEREBETWEEN WHEREBY SAID GASPASSING INTO SAID SECOND CHAMBER IS IONIZED AND CONCENTRATED WITH IONSOF A SINGLE POLARITY